Talk About Epping Summer 2023

TALK ABOUT EPPING

The Mayor’s view

As my term of office as Mayor comes to an end, I reflect on how much the Town Council has achieved. As Chairman of the Town Council, it has been a busy and challenging year, managing a number of projects whilst continuing to run our services. The protection and viability of our Charter Market has continued to be a priority despite the closure of Cottis Lane car park and I am pleased to say that the market continues to thrive.

Epping Town Council is a very busy Council with multiple services and functions to fulfill. Both Epping Hall and the Jack Silley Pavilion have been busy, we now have a brand-new playground at Lower Swaines and improvements have been made to the well-used playground at Stonards Hill Recreation Ground. Our two allotment sites are valued by the community and we have a waiting list for both and the popular Town Show and Christmas Market which attracted a great many people. All this could not have been achieved without the dedication and hard work of the council staff led by our Town Clerk Beverley. It has been an honour to represent the Town, carrying out Civic duties such as presenting the Queen’s

Platinum Medals to our on-call Epping firemen, unveiling the blue plaque for our Town’s Charter Market, reading the Proclamation of the Accession of King Charles III following the death of our dear Queen Elizabeth II, welcoming friends from our Twin Town Eppingen for a 40th anniversary and laying wreaths on behalf of the Town Council on the war memorials at Coopersale and Epping. I have had the pleasure of meeting many interesting and hardworking people when cutting ribbons, presenting certificates and attending local events, too many to mention by name. At the Annual Town meeting, I was very grateful to Wendy Clarke who gave us an interesting presentation of old photographs showing Epping from Queen Elizabeth’s Coronation up to present day. My thanks go to everyone who supported the dinner I held in support of the Turkey and Syria Earthquake appeal. I am delighted to say we raised £4676. The year has passed very quickly and I am grateful for the support I have received from my husband Roy. It only remains for me to thank my fellow Town Councillors for all their hard work and support, in particular my deputy Christine Burgess, Nigel Avey as planning chairman and Grahame Scruton, key member for finance, all of whom have worked very hard in these vital roles to support the Town.

Barbara Scruton

New Freeman of Epping: Humphrey Wheeler

Epping Town Council have the honour of being able to present a Freeman of Epping award to commemorate someone in the Town whose contribution to Epping life has been outstanding over a considerable number of years. This is a rare award and has only been awarded six times in the last 27 years. Our current Freemen of Epping are Letitia Berry and John Batchelor. Freemen who are no longer with us were Ruth Benjamin, Freddy Limer MBE, Denys Favre and Arnold Verrall. In February 2023, Epping Town Council voted unanimously to award local resident and businessman Humphrey Wheeler, the honour of Freeman of Epping. One of Humphrey’s key involvements is with the Epping-Eppingen Twinning Association. He is the current president and has been chairman, membership secretary and publicity officer. Mr Wheeler owned Argus Lighting, a shop which stood on the corner of the High Street and St Johns Road for 43 years. At one time there were six lighting outlets. Humphrey was born and raised in Epping and has lived in the town for about 70 years. He also assisted with the town’s Christmas lights for many years.

Town Mayor (2022-23) Barbara Scruton said: “Many people will know him as a friend, neighbour, shopkeeper and colleague, who continues to shine in our community and who still has the interest of Epping at heart.”

Pictures from top to bottom: Humphrey Wheeler with wife Linda. Humphrey receiving the Freeman honour from Town Mayor Cllr Barbara Scruton. Humphrey and Town Mayor Barbara with Freeman John Batchelor.

Community Award 2023

Epping Playground Association have won the Community Award 2023 for their amazing work raising £176,000 for the new playground at Lower Swaines recreation ground. Town Mayor 2022-2023 Cllr Barbara Scruton who opened the playground was delighted to present them with their award and their new ‘thank you to our sponsors’ sign. Siobhan Garrett, Habibah Wise, Donna Hourihan, Karen Laing (and David Garrett).

Firefighter Derek Whitbread receives his British Empire Medal

Epping Fire Station Watch Manager Derek Whitbread, who is Essex’s longest-serving on-call firefighter, has received his British Empire Medal from Deputy Lieutenant of Essex Hugh Pegrum.

Mr Whitbread, who received the honour in the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Honours List last June, has served the town for almost 50 years, having joined the fire service in 1975 “to give it a trial for six months or so” when persuaded by fellow firefighter John Batchelor. His contribution to keeping Epping safe has been recognised in the past by both Epping Town Council (Townsperson of the Year 2013) and Epping Forest District Council. At the time he joined the fire service, he was working for Denray Engineering in Epping. After completing his training, his first emergency call was to a light aircraft crash in Lindsey Street. In the hot 1976 summer, he was among the crew who tackled a major blaze at Ongar Park Woods.

Mr Whitbread was at the major fire at Clinton Cards in Epping in 1990 and has attended numerous barn fires, road collisions and floods. He was a proud member of the Epping Fire Station crew that won both the Essex Fire Service Brigade and D Division Efficiency Drill Competitions in 1991. Several of his call-outs have been to incidents which made the national news. Two hijack incidents at Stansted Airport and the December 1999 air disaster when a Korean Air Jumbo cargo plane crashed on the edge of Hatfield Forest, are among the countless incidents he has attended. Mr Whitbread, who attained the rank of Sub Officer in 2000, was the first officer in charge of a major fire at the Breezers nightclub at Cottis Lane, Epping in 2001. An Essex County Fire and Rescue Service spokesman said: “Mr Whitbread has held a whole rate status contract for most of, if not all, his years’ service giving 120-plus hours of fire cover a week. He joined the then Essex Fire Brigade at 19 rising to the rank of Sub Officer in charge and later Watch Manager.”

John Batchelor, who retired from the fire service in 2002, said: “During my time serving with Derek in the Epping fire crew and as both Leading Fire Fighters and later as my Sub Officer in Charge, Derek has always shown a real firefighter's skill at dealing with dangerous and challenging incidents but with a firefighter’s humour that sets him out as a true leader when needed.”

Townsperson of the Year 2022

Epping Town Council were delighted to award Townsperson of the Year 2022 to Roger Emmens. Roger received the Townsperson of the Year award in recognition of his work with Epping Horticultural Society as a committee member and for organising and helping to run the Society’s trading hut on the Meadow Road allotments site. He also helps new plot holders to get started. Roger also donated and runs Epping Weather Station, based at Stonards Hill recreation ground and volunteers for Voluntary Action Epping Forest undertaking a variety of tasks, including helping with gardening, at vaccine clinics, delivering food parcels and assisting with open days. He also contributes hugely to the work of the Friends of Swaines Green conservation charity. He was awarded his certificate and gift from Town Mayor 2022-23 Cllr Barbara Scruton.

Young Townsperson of the Year 2022

Epping Town Council were delighted to award Young Townsperson of the Year 2022 to Sonny Bazzoni. Sonny was nominated for a number of reasons, but wanted to focus on the area he was most proud of; his work with the Essex Supports Ukrainian Families (ESUF) initiative which saw the organisation run a community hub facility at the Civic Offices in Epping. Sonny highlighted the hugely important work of the ESUF and the sheer volume of people it had helped. Sonny received his certificate and gift from Town Mayor 2022-23 Cllr Barbara Scruton.

Best kept allotment awards 2022 & the Civic Award

Epping Town Mayor Cllr Barbara Scruton presented Jonathan Crawley with the best-kept allotment award for his plot at Lower Bury Lane allotments at Epping Town Council’s Annual Town Meeting on Thursday 20th April 2023. Jonathan received a cheque for £25 along with his certificate.

Winner of the best-kept allotment 2022 at Meadow Road was Melanie Hanson. Melanie wasn’t able to attend the meeting to receive her certificate and cheque, so will be presented with it at a later date.

Concept 5 (formerly Geoffrey Drayton) have been chosen to receive the Civic Award for a sensitively restored building and will also be presented with their certificate in person. They were commended for:

“Concept 5 104 High Street; the redevelopment of the shop, once Geoffrey Drayton, has restored the iconic pop-out, castle-like 1960s format, with minor modifications intended to make it more weatherproof.”

Epping Town Council present these three awards, and many others, on an annual basis.

Probus Club of Epping

Meets monthly at the Lindsey Street Community Association, Frampton Road, Epping for lunch followed by an invited speaker. Retired or semi-retired men interested in joining, please contact Club Secretary, Mr Hilary Dodd on 01992 560381.

Epping Bowls Club celebrates in style

Epping Bowls Club celebrated the launch of the 2023 season on Saturday 15th April with special guests Cllr Barbara Scruton, Mayor of Epping, and her husband Roy. Together with members they declared the club’s 112th season open.

After a glass of fizz, the ribbon was cut for the official opening. The Mayor fired bowls across the green and managed to hit the bell target, having never played before. Club President Peter Bates, and Club Captains Ron Perryman and Margaret Hopkinson welcomed members who then enjoyed their first roll up of the season.

Barbara Scruton said: “It’s great to be at your club today especially as you got started in 1911. I do care about Epping. It needs places like this in order to keep it thriving with so much to offer the local community.”

Epping Bowls Club is based in Lower Bury Lane, opposite Epping St John’s School’s back entrance. The Club is keen to recruit new members for this season. Free to attend ‘Come & Try’ sessions at the Club are on Sunday 14th May 10.30-3.30pm and Tuesday 30th May 6.00-7.30pm. Club President Peter Bates said, “We are delighted to welcome the Mayor and her husband to help us promote the joy of playing bowls to a wider audience.”

Bowls is for everyone. Whether retired, semi-retired, younger, or working from home, everyone is welcome to try bowls. It is a fun and friendly activity and good for health and well-being. Just wear flat soled trainer type shoes. Visit: www.eppingbowlsclub.com

Epping in Bloom 8th anniversary news

Epping in Bloom are a team of volunteers who help bring our community together.

We are a group of local Epping people who come from all walks of life. We all have a passion for nature and a love of our town and really enjoy bringing seasonal colourful flowering blooms for all to admire and often share inspiring ideas along the way.

We will be celebrating our 8th anniversary in May when we first came together as volunteers for Epping in Bloom.

Over the years we have devoted many voluntary hours to keep the community garden near Marks & Spencer looking its best throughout the seasons. We look after the barrels outside the fire station and the beds on the Tower Road green. We share our passion for growing a variety of food using organic principles on the Epping in Bloom allotment at Meadow Road where we enjoy hosting educational days and food tasting evenings. We also look after the two entrance beds outside St Margaret’s Hospital. We also help other local groups with advice and annually help plant bulbs on Esso Island with the Theydon Grove residents. We have made great friends along the way and always welcome new volunteers to join us on this wonderful journey. No experience needed and we adapt our sessions to suit all abilities and all ages. Our youngest volunteer is five years old and our oldest volunteer is 85 years old.

Ever changing artwork

We are very lucky to have two local volunteer artists Mimi and Andrew who often create amazing educational pieces for the garden such as a bug hotel, butterflies and snails to name a few. Their art brings plenty of smiles to all our visitors, especially the youngsters. They really have helped enhance the entrance and together with the flowers everything blends together so well.

Scarecrow Festival

We will be hosting our Scarecrow Festival again this year on Saturday 10th June 10am – 4pm and Sunday 11th June 11am – 3pm. Scarecrow maps will be available to collect from the community garden for just £1 during the whole weekend. This is a great family friendly event, so come along and have fun seeing all the amazing scarecrow creations that will be put outside local businesses and Epping residents’ homes.

If you would like to find out more about how you can become a volunteer team member for Epping in Bloom, email: eppinginbloom@gmail.com

By Victoria Robertson, Chairman, Epping in Bloom

The Hemnall Social Club: did you know?

• The Club was formed in 1894 as the Epping Literary & Mechanics Institute and was housed in a hut in the William Cottis & Sons Iron Foundry.

• It moved into the current building in 1908, which was paid for by Copped Hall owner Ernest Wythes.

• During World War II the Club was used as a British Restaurant.

• There was no licenced bar until 1962.

• The name was changed to the Hemnall Social Club in 1967. Other names considered were the Foxburrow Club and the Amesbury Club.

• The Club has three full-sized snooker tables, which have been in place for over 100 years.

• As well as the monthly ‘Music Den’, there is live entertainment every Saturday night.

• The Club is the home of the Royal British Legion’s annual Poppy Appeal in Epping. By Cllr John Duffell

St Clare Hospice news: Hastingwood Road, CM17 9JX

St Clare Hospice – Open Gardens 2023

Join us this summer season as our community kindly opens its gardens to visitors, helping fund hospice care for local people. Our perennially popular horticultural event is back for its 29th year. Open Gardens is the perfect event for green-fingered folk to enjoy. From May – August 2023 visit beautiful, hidden green spaces across West Essex as our community kindly opens its gardens to visitors, helping raise vital funds for St Clare Hospice. Visit the website to find the gardens opening near you: stclarehospice.org.uk/open-gardens

Bereavement Cafés – here for you

St Clare Hospice runs a series of eight, local Bereavement Café groups – which are open to all and free to attend. We feel that some of the most meaningful support you may experience when you’ve been bereaved, is through connecting with others with similar experiences. stclarehospice.org.uk/bereavement-cafe or call 01279 945089

Are you struggling with breathlessness? We can help!

St Clare’s Breathlessness Group can help you manage breathlessness; a common symptom of many illnesses. The group is free of charge, and is for all adults aged over 18, who are facing a life-limiting condition. You just need to be registered with a West Essex GP or on the East Hertfordshire border. Call our First Contact Service on 01279 773774 or email patients@stclarehospice.org.uk

Wiggle, Waddle, Toddle – sponsored walk for young children!

Wiggle, Waddle, Toddle is a short sponsored walk for St Clare Hospice’s littlest supporters. If your nursery or pre-school would like to get involved in hosting your own Wiggle, Waddle, Toddle sponsored event, please get in touch.

Contact the fundraising team on 01279 773750 or visit stclarehospice.org.uk/wiggle

Volunteer with your local hospice

St Clare Hospice is seeking more volunteers to join its 600-strong team of people across their shops, in the community, and at the Hospice site in Hastingwood. For more information, and to see the current list of roles available, visit: stclarehospice.org.uk/volunteer or call the team directly on 01279 773704 or email volunteer@stclarehospice.org.uk

SAVE THE DATE – St Clare Summer Fayre!

It’s on Saturday 8th July at St Clare Hospice, CM17 9JX, from 11am – 4pm. With food and craft stalls, inflatables, shows and games for the kids, there is something for everyone. Entry costs £3 per adult, kids under 16 go free. Well-behaved dogs on leads welcome. For more information contact the fundraising team on 01279 773750 or visit: stclarehospice.org.uk/st-clare-summer-fayre

Urgent stock appeal – Help your planet, and your Hospice

Planning a Spring Clean? St Clare Hospice Charity Shops would really appreciate any donations of pre-loved goods. To donate, visit your local St Clare Hospice shop. Find your closest shop by visiting: stclarehospice.org.uk/shops

Griefline

GriefLine (01279 945089) is a local resource offering much-needed emotional support via telephone, across West Essex and East Herts, to anyone struggling with their grief around the loss of someone. GriefLine operates from 9am – 5pm, Monday to Friday. It is run by a team of St Clare staff and volunteers, it is free to call, though charges may apply in line with your standard network rate. Visit: griefline.co.uk

Trek the Himalayas for your Hospice

Join St Clare Hospice for this challenging but rewarding trip to the Himalayas, from the 11th-22nd November 2023.

Starting in Kathmandu, you will make a difference at a local Nepalese hospice, working alongside the locals by taking part in hands-on tasks such as refurbishment and redecoration. After the project you set off for the lakeside town of Pokhara and spend six days trekking in the breath-taking Annapurna region of Nepal. For more information on taking part on the Himalayan trek or other challenges, please get in contact with Challenges and Events Fundraiser Clare on 01279 773738 or email clare.morris@stclarehospice.org.uk

The Epping-Eppingen Twinning Association 2023 plans

After a full year in 2022 the association are planning a number of events for 2023. We would very much like to have new members join us and experience the friendships which can be forged both here in Epping and in the delightful town of Eppingen in Southern Germany. On May 21st we will be having a Kaffee und Kuchen (coffee and cake) afternoon. We are hoping for some sunshine to accompany this event. June is an important month as on the weekend of 16th-19th we will be travelling to Germany for a long weekend to celebrate a 40th anniversary. This anniversary was very successfully celebrated here last October but our German friends are keen to reciprocate so we are looking forward to a very special time with them. We will once again take part in the Epping Town Show in July. The weekend of 21st to the 23rd July sees another opportunity to visit Eppingen and to be involved in their Altstadt fest; a town festival with music food and conviviality.

It has been our practice in the past on alternate years to put on a language course for our German friends. English lessons in the morning are followed by a cultural visit of some kind in the afternoon. This is an excellent opportunity to join up with our German friends, enjoy their company and at the same time familiarise them with something of our country. We have been unable to do this for the past three years due to Covid but we plan to do this once again between September 25th and October 3rd.

Next year we hope to have a German language course in Eppingen, a chance to learn and also experience some of the German culture. A small membership fee of £5 per family is all it takes to be involved. If you wish to learn more about the Association or would like to come to any of the events, we would be delighted to hear from you.

Please contact Joy on 01279 428622 or 07944 570917.

Epping High Street flowers

Well done to the grounds team at Epping Forest District Council who look after the planters in Epping High Street. The tulip and spring flowers display was absolutely beautiful.

Stonards outdoor table tennis table

Don’t forget there is an outdoor table tennis table at Stonards Hill recreation ground, near the tennis courts. Take along your own bats and balls and enjoy one of the many facilities at this lovely green space.

King Charles III’s Coronation: Saturday 6th May 2023

Epping Town Council would like to say a huge thank you to Epping Town Partnership for their very generous contribution of £1000 towards the bunting and decoration of Epping High Street for the King’s Coronation. There is virtually no funding available for this purpose, so we are extremely grateful to the Town Partnership for working with the Town Council on this. Thank you also to the shops and businesses who dressed their windows. (St Clare Hospice below and Piccola right). Please send us details of your street parties and events, so we can feature them in our next issue.

Epping Town Show: Sunday 2nd July 2023

Come along to the Town Council’s annual community event at Stonards Hill recreation ground on Sunday 2nd July (12 noon to 5pm). There will be a variety of traders and community stalls with a range of items for sale and different games, entertainment, arena acts, music, a range of food and refreshments, fun fair and more. Free entry and public car parking will be provided thanks to St Margaret’s Hospital. Bring your family, dogs and deck chairs. Look out for more information on posters and on Epping Town Council’s website as we get nearer the date.

For more information telephone: 01992 579444 or email: gvallis@eppingtowncouncil.gov.uk

EPPING AT THE MOVIES

Epping at the Movies holds regular film screenings at Epping Hall, St Johns Road, Epping, Essex, CM16 5JU. A mixture of films are shown, including classic and children’s. The film dates for the rest of 2023 are: 23rd and 24th June, 22nd and 23rd September, 3rd and 4th November, 8th and 9th December. Films to be announced. https://eppingatthemovies.com/ Please contact them directly for more information.

The Music Den, Epping

The Den’s first event for 2023 was with Martin McNeill’s Bottleneck Blues Band. Attendees were treated to some exceptional slide guitar from Martin.

The Den then returned to its usual fixture dates in February with a local group of exceptional musicians, Clean Sneak followed in March with the return to The Den of The Cadillac Kings. They had recently released a new album and the audience were treated to a number of their originals together with a selection of their old original numbers and of course some standards. The event turned out to be the best attended to date for The Den and may it long continue.

Thank you all for supporting live music in Epping. The Club in conjunction with The Music Den are also arranging live music on the evenings of the last Friday of each month. Next scheduled events for The Music Den are:

9th May 2023

13th June 2023

11th July 2023

The Mike Hatchard Trio

Among the Willows

Doc K’s Blues Band

The poster opposite shows Live Music at Hemnall Social Club.

If you have a community group with a story to tell, please get in touch. We’d love to hear from you if you have something Epping related to share with the community.

There are lots of fantastic community groups working for the benefit of the town and its residents. Please share details with us.

Email: info@eppingtowncouncil.gov.uk

New West Essex Virtual Hospital Service

A new virtual hospital service has launched in west Essex for adults over the age of 18 years, giving them more choice around where they can receive care.

The service launched in early December 2022 and allows patients with specific conditions to be cared for at their usual place of residence, including care homes. Vanessa Wakefield, deputy director of the West Essex Care Coordination Centre, said:

“The virtual hospital is a safe, alternative way of allowing patients with specific conditions to receive the same treatment they would otherwise receive in hospital.

It’s just like being on a ward but they’re in the comfort of their own home and being monitored from a distance, with face-to-face care as needed. Patients who have used our service have told us they appreciate the support and care they receive, and being given the choice to recover at home.”

Patients receive a mixture of face-to-face care and remote monitoring by a team including consultants, advanced clinical practitioners, nurses, therapists and pharmacists. They are also supported by other specialist teams and social care, depending on their individual needs. Patients can be admitted to the West Essex Virtual Hospital Service for up to two weeks but will be referred for further care if their needs change at any point during that time which could include being referred to hospital. They will also be referred for further care as needed once they leave the care of the virtual hospital team. If the individual has identified care needs, support can be deployed quickly through the close working relationship the service has with adult social care. People will only be referred to the virtual hospital service if their condition and individual circumstances mean it is a suitable option for them.

Patient Joyce Kirstein, 79, had received hospital treatment for pneumonia and partial kidney failure. She was referred to the virtual hospital service by her GP after being discharged. Joyce was pleased with the fast response she received from the team. She received her initial appointment and remote monitoring equipment on the same day. Joyce, who prefers being at home than in hospital, said: “I think it’s amazing. The slightest change in the figures and I get a phone call asking ‘are you alright’? I was so nervous of it in the beginning. When the equipment came and it was in the box I felt overwhelmed. I just do it automatically now, I don’t think about it.” For more information, email: epunft.communications@nhs.net

The West Essex Virtual Hospital Service operates seven days a week from 8am to 8pm. Patients can contact the team at any time during those hours. Outside of those times, they can call 111, or 999 in an emergency, if they need help. Clear and concise information is provided to patients along with a written information leaflet explaining the above. Patients can be referred to the service by their GP, clinicians at Princess Alexandra Hospital in Harlow and Whipps Cross Hospital in Leytonstone.

Community information

Sing & Sign baby classes community information

Are you over 60, disabled or in receipt of benefits? Voluntary Action Epping Forest can help. Fitting grab rails and keysafes, securing carpets, changing light bulbs, hanging pictures and much more. No job is too small. If you are in doubt, give us a call and ask if we are able to assist. As a charity we can provide reasonable competitive rates. Our friendly team are experienced and police checked. Call: 01992 910701 for a quote. Email: admin@vaef.org.uk

Epping Hall and the Jack Silley Pavilion

Regular activities at Epping Hall

Mondays – Tai Chi, Perform Children’s drama, Rock Choir

Tuesdays – Community Dance

Wednesday – Women’s Institute (once per month), Children’s karate, Adult’s karate

Thursday – Sing and Sign, Art Class, Singing Bowls (around once per month)

Friday – Yoga Hatha, Children’s ballet, Adult’s ballet, Epping at the Movies (approx 10 screenings per year)

Saturday – Epping at the Movies (around 10 screenings per year)

Sunday – Life Church

Regular activities at the Jack Silley Pavilion

Mondays – Baby Ballet, Art Class, Illusions

Children’s Dance

Tuesdays – Basking Babies, Illusions Children’s Dance, Home Educator’s Meeting (once per month)

Wednesday – Phonic Stars, Chair yoga

Thursdays – Action for Family Carers

Fridays – U3A Art class, Illusions Children’s Dance

Saturdays – Epping Forest School of Dancing

Children

Both halls can be booked for private parties, wedding receptions, meetings and events. www.eppingtowncouncil.gov.uk

Stonards Hill recreation ground tennis courts

Don’t forget Stonards Hill recreation ground has its own tennis courts which can be booked for free public play during the daytime, paid for floodlit games in the evenings and for coaching with our coaching partner David Watson Tennis. Courts can be booked via Club Spark.

https://clubspark.lta.org.uk/StonardsHillTennisCourts

www.everythingeppingforest.co.uk

Thank you to David Jackman, Everything Epping Forest, for his media service and any of his pictures used in this issue.

Epping Monday Market

Epping Monday Market has a wide variety of stalls, selling most things you would need on a daily basis.

These include: hot chicken takeaways, glasses, bric-a-brac, slippers, nightwear, gifts, windows, groceries, pet food, blinds, fashion; adult and children/babies, bedding, towels, shoes, plants, mobile phone accessories, jewellery, china, fishmonger, fruit and vegetables, mens’ accessories, hardware, cards, household, dried fruit and nuts, hangbags, purses, wallets, oils and vinegars, bread and cakes and watch batteries/repairs. Our market has been established since 1253 by Royal Charter and we have several traders who have been with us for many years. They join us in all weathers and many travel long distances to be with us. Please do visit them and support the market and our High Street by shopping local. While the Cottis Lane car park is being redeveloped by Qualis, there is a car park in St Johns Road.

In 2022, we erected a blue plaque on Aves Optometrist to mark our historic charter market. The market has a very long and interesting history and details can be found on our website: www.eppingtowncouncil.gov.uk

Epping Society: A new epidemic in Epping?

Some time ago, we told the story of the Epping Jaundice. Now sadly we focus on a growing epidemic in our town – a particular form of substance misuse. Several quiet corners are being used by criminals to supply people with Nitrous Oxide, familiar to some of us as the dentist’s so-called laughing gas. The evidence is the increasing litter of gas cylinders – not just the tiny aluminium capsules, but now heavy 30cm long steel cannisters, along with the delivery cardboard boxes, and balloons used to inhale from. A particularly busy site for this “Noz” misuse is just off the High Street / St John’s Road, where sometimes there could be as many as 50 of the large canisters, with empty boxes and many balloons, mixed up with bottles and drinking glasses. The land is privately owned, and the debris is most unsightly. Many organisations in town were aware of this, and it had been reported to the Police. The good news is that in early April several members of the Police attended the site, also there has been a bit of a tidy-up; which proves that it can be worth “making a fuss”.

It is at present illegal to sell or even give away this stuff, except for cookery purposes. Side effects are very rare but can include suffocation (especially in people with asthma), mental disturbance, interference with blood cell production, and most worrying – paralysis which can be permanent, by messing up one’s B12 vitamin system. His Majesty’s government have announced plans to make such misuse illegal. The Epping Society would urge readers to look out for evidence and let The Police know where this is going on; also to talk to/keep an eye on their older children.

Epping Town Council are responsible for the following: Bury Lane Cemetery, Monday Market, six recreation grounds including Stonards Hill and Lower Swaines, two allotment sites at Lower Bury Lane and Meadow Road, Epping Hall and Jack Silley Pavilion, Talk About Epping, Bakers Lane toilets, the Town Show and the Christmas Market.Tel: 01992 579444.

E-mail: info@eppingtowncouncil.gov.uk

Essex County Council are responsible for Highways (including roads, pavements and streetlights), Blue Badges, Bus Passes, Schools, Social Care amongst many other services. You can report Highways issues on their website at www.essex.gov.uk Tel: 0345 603 7630.

Epping Forest District Council are responsible for many services including Rubbish and Recycling, Council Tax, Housing, Elections and Benefits. Tel: 01992 564000. Website: www.eppingforestdc.gov.uk Things such as missed rubbish collections and flytipping can be reported on their website.

Epping Town Council information

TOWN COUNCILLORS

2023-2027

Epping Town Council elections took place on Thursday 4th May 2023. A new Council will take office on Tuesday 9th May 2023. The Annual Council meeting of the first new Council and where the Chairman (Town Mayor) is elected will take place on Monday 15th May 2023 at 8pm in the Conference Room at Epping Hall.

There will be six members for Hemnall Ward and six members for St John’s Ward, making a total of 12 Epping Town Councillors.

Epping Town Council is elected in its entirety every four years.

The new Council (Town Councillors) will be listed on Epping Town Council’s website and will be introduced in the next issue of Talk About Epping, Autumn 2023.

The Town Clerk is the Proper Officer of the Town Council and is responsible for its everyday management, services and functions (listed opposite) and ensuring Council decisions are implemented in accordance with relevant legislation. The Town Clerk is supported by twelve additional staff.

The Town Clerk would like to thank the outgoing Council (2019-2023) for all their hard work over the last four years. Epping Town Council are a Quality Gold Status accredited Council, one of only six in Essex.

MP: Dame Eleanor Laing MP (020 8508 6608) eleanor.laing.mp@parliament.uk

invitations for the m ayor

If you are organising an event which you would like the Mayor or a representative of the Town Council to attend, please email: info@eppingtowncouncil.gov.uk marked Invitation for the Mayor or tel: 01992 579444

The Mayor and Deputy Mayor attend many different events over the year to support our local groups, businesses and organisations.

talk about epping deadlines

FORTHCOMING MEETINGS

Please note: meetings are currently in-person meetings and will be held at Epping Hall unless otherwise stated.

www.eppingtowncouncil.gov.uk/meeting_dates

Epping Town Council responsibilities

Bury Lane Cemetery Halls:

Monday Charter Market Epping Hall, St Johns Rd

Bakers Lane Toilets Jack Silley Pavilion, Recreation Grounds: Stonards Hill

Stonards Hill

Allotments:

Ivy Chimneys Lower Bury Lane

Lower Swaines Meadow Road

Frampton Road Town Show

Parklands, Coopersale Christmas Market

Brook Road

Christmas Lights

Talk About Epping (Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter)

Consultee on Planning

Epping Town Council’s Planning Committee consider every planning & TPO (tree protection order) application in Epping and give their views to Epping Forest District Council, who are the local planning authority.

Articles for the next edition of Talk About Epping must be submitted before 24 July 2023 (Autumn issue) and 9 October 2023 (Winter issue). Submissions should be sent to Epping Town Council via email: info@eppingtowncouncil.gov.uk clearly marked ‘Talk About Epping’. Please send in copy on a word document (200-300 words max). Please attach pictures as separate jpegs (not inserted into the word document). The editor may amend copy appropriately.

For more information, visit our new website: www.eppingtowncouncil.gov.uk

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